Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/ZcBAZGaj-5U

 

Caffeinated drinks help you think faster and focus better, but they can’t help you think outside the box.  University of Arkansas psychologists draw this conclusion following their study of 80 volunteers half of whom received 200 mg of caffeine, the amount in a strong cup of coffee.

 

Those receiving the caffeine showed improved problem-solving, better focus, and enhanced alertness.  Caffeine did not improve the subject’s creative thinking or memory.

 

So down that coffee, tea, or energy drink to help you finish your taxes or that math worksheet.  If you’re writing the world’s next great novel, though, caffeine will push you to the finish line but it won’t improve your plot. 

 

Darya L. Zabelina, Paul J. Silvia. Percolating ideas: The effects of caffeine on creative thinking and problem solving. Consciousness and Cognition, 2020; 79: 102899 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2020.102899

 

#caffeine #creativity #problemsolving